On Sunday he won first place in the 100-meter backstroke, setting a Lowell High School record and became the school's first state champion in swimming with another teammate.

On Thursday night, he was presented a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy from U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell.

"I'm extremely proud," said his mother Irja Finn. "It's an accomplishment just to get here."

Irja was speaking about the 33 young men and women from around the 3rd Congressional District at City Hall Thursday night, who have been preparing for their entire high-school careers to enter the military, focusing on academics, leadership, athletics and community service.

Tsongas acknowledged the arduous requirements to be eligible for the nomination.

"You all deserve tremendous credit for having been nominated. The requirements are very steep. Unlike many other academic institutions, there are all the physical requirements that are necessary as well," Tsongas said. "So the simple fact that you have been nominated says an awful lot about all of you."

Applicants to the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force and Merchant Marine Academies must be nominated by a member of Congress.

Many of the high-school seniors were waiting to hear back on whether they were accepted.

"It's the worst part," said Corey Egan, 17, of Billerica.

He said he knew he wanted to join the Army since he was 12.

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His father was in the Air Force.

Knowing where he wanted to end up, Egan spent four years at Arlington Catholic High School competing in cross-country, winter track and rugby. He is a member of the National Honors Society and is in the Classics Club.

In his spare time, he does his homework.

His mom, Tanja, said he's spent a lot of years working hard.

Finn's prowess doesn't end in the pool. He is also a member of the National Honors Society and is Student Council president.

He chose to apply to the Air Force because he wants to study international relations.

"Going into the military is a great way to get access to these types of jobs," he said. "And I wanted to serve my country."

He said he loves exploring other cultures and has been reading international news since he was a child.

His favorite country that he's visited is India, where he traveled last summer with his friend's family.

Tsongas said even if the letters come back and the young aspiring military men and women do not get accepted into the very competitive academies: "I hope you will forever remain interested in serving your country one way or another."

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